Get ready to be jettisoned back to the Eighties, Nineties and Noughties as youth culture storms its way into the National Portrait Gallery this February. A retrospective of the untimate teen glossy has landed with a defiant thud.
Trailblazers of iconic portraiture and fashion photography The Face became THE cult magazine of its time. Nick Logan, formerly editor of NME, created the magazine in the late 70's seeing a gap in the market for a new teen publication post Smash Hits. From 1980 to 2004 the magazine enjoyed global success.
Organised chronologically each and every gallery room is bursting with era defining stars of music, fashion and film. Featuring over 200 prints taken by 80 photographers from Annie Lennox, Sade, Kylie Monogue and the Spice Girls to Jazzie B, Adam Ant, Alexander McQueen and Bruneo Mars icons cover every inch of the gallery walls. The Face even managed to make David Beckham, a beacon of cleanliness, look mucky covering him with gravy and soya sauce for his steamingly cover shot.
We stood transfixed by the rolling exhibition film - hurling us back through stylistic decades from New Romantics, Goths and Brit Pop to Punk and Acid House Raves - we watching the loop twice through.
Sadly with the dawning of the internet age the publication closed its doors in 2004. Relaunching however in 2019 the magazine still continues to be a disruptive, creative space for photographers and fashion stylists alike.
This is a fun, nostalgic, full pelt show full of energy. We left beaming and messaged all our old school friends to try and make a date to meet up there. We think it would appeal hugely to any teen with an interest in fashion, pop culture or photography.
We also liked it so much we both became members of the NPG instantly. It made us smile all day - you can't ask for more than that.
GO!
By Julia Colls 20 Feb 2025
20 Feb-18 May
National Portrait Gallery
Tickets £23 adults, £11.50 12-18yrs
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